With his design, that is both visually striking and
structurally daring, Calatrava puts the joy back into contemporary
travel.

The steel and concrete structure , nicknamed La Paloma (the Dove)
because of its resemblance to a giant bird about to take flight, is
integrated into the hilly green landscape in the Txoriherri Valley
in close proximity to Bilbao. The aluminium skin of the Central
Terminal sweeps across the 140 meter long terminal entry, providing
cover for multiple levels of arrival and departure.

Photo: arcspacePhoto: arcspace
The passengers reach the aircrafts by way of the Departure Hall, a
soaring structure awash with daylight, and the four-storey
Departure Gallery beyond that connects to the concourse,an
aluminium wing reminiscent of an aircraft skin, that contain twelve
passenger terminal gates.

Photo: arcspacePhoto: arcspacePhoto: arcspace
The Departure Hall, with its ribbed concrete wings, is clear of
visual clutter. Struts and wires cast changing patterns of striated
shadows on the walls and granite floor.

Photo: arcspacePhoto: arcspace
The layout was designed to limit the impact of auxiliary buildings
on the vista of the main building. An elegant four-story parking
structure, with a skylit walkway leading to the Terminal Building,
is tucked into a grassy embankment.

Drawing courtesy Santiago
CalatravaSection
Calatrava also designed the Bilbao Zubi Zuri, or "white bridge,"
over the Nervion River, that links a rundown but rejuvenating
commercial area with an elegant residential neighborhood. The glass
deck is illuminated from the underside at night.